Receptacles – End wall structure – Support structure
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-12
2001-09-18
Castellano, Stephen (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
End wall structure
Support structure
C220S636000, C220S475000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290089
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to tooltrays for holding tools and parts while working, and more particularly to a tooltray that is attached to the carriage rails of a machine tool, such as a pipe threader, and pivots to rest on the top of the machine when in use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Certain machine tools, such as pipe threaders, are often used in a field setting. The tools are portable and have their own sturdy stands. A pipe threader uses interchangeable tooling heads for threading, cutting, and reaming pipe. There is a need for a tooltray to hold these heads, as well as the ancillary screwdrivers, wrenches, or other hand tools needed to change the heads. There is a further need for the tooltray to be portable and sturdy enough for field work.
It is especially desirable to have a tooltray that mounts directly onto existing features of the pipe threader, in order that the tooltray be as simple as possible. Mounting the tooltray on the pipe threader allows use of the pipe threader to support the load, keeping the tooltray light and inexpensive. The means for mounting the tooltray needs to be quickly and easily operated, as it will be used often. The mounting must be reliable and prevent the tooltray from slipping off the pipe threader or moving around during use.
Other tooltray devices that mount onto a machine tool have been developed, such as Lorenzen (U.S. Pat. No. 2,481,604) but the need to avoid interfering with operation of the machine tool limits their size, placement, and applicability. There exists a need for a tooltray device that can be mounted easily onto a machine tool and does not interfere with use of the tool or access to controls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a tooltray device that attaches to the carriage rails of a pipe threader, or similar machine tool. In a preferred embodiment, it comprises a tray for holding tools with two pivotably attached arms for connecting the tray to the pipe threader. The lower end of each arm includes a shaft that plugs into the hollow back end of one of the tubular carriage rails. The shaft fits tightly enough into the rail that the tooltray device is held in place during use but the shafts can be pivoted when force is applied by the person operating the pipe threader.
The arms of the tooltray are attachable to the carriage rails while in a position perpendicular to the tray. After attachment of the arms, the tray is swung to one side. Both ends of the arms pivot, the tooltray device moves laterally and downwardly, and comes to rest atop the housing of the pipe threader.
The initial perpendicular position of the arms maximizes the clearance between the tray and the back chuck disk of the pipe threader, which is elevated above the main body of the machine's housing. After the tooltray device has cleared the back chuck disc, pivoting the tooltray down and to the side allows the tray to rest on the housing between the front and back chuck disks. The housing supports the tray and the chuck disks prevent it from slipping to the front or back. Pivoting the tooltray device to one side gives unimpaired access to one side of the machine, such as the one having a power switch.
The accompanying drawings disclose a specific embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the principles of the invention and structural implementation of the inventive concept. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
The invention will now be described in more particular detail with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.
REFERENCES:
patent: 971060 (1910-09-01), Lynch
patent: 1810855 (1931-06-01), Rockmore
patent: 2155772 (1939-04-01), Porter
patent: 2481604 (1949-09-01), Lorenzen
patent: 4611823 (1986-09-01), Haas
patent: 4728118 (1988-03-01), Haas
patent: 6116456 (2000-09-01), Davis
Sampson Charles P.
Sult Gary
Castellano Stephen
Tervo Calif
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